Spectra Logic Packs Mixed Media, Partitioning In Tape Library

The Spectra T120 tape library offers many of the capabilities found on the company's Spectra T950, which can handle up to 1,000 cartridges in a single frame, said Sharon Isaacson, senior product manager for the Boulder, Colo.-based company.

The T120 can be configured with up to six LTO-2 or SAIT tape drives and 120 tape cartridges in a 14-U rack-mount chassis, said Isaacson.

One T120 can be carved into LTO-2 and SAIT virtual libraries with a mix of Fibre Channel, SCSI, and iSCSI connectivity, she said. SCSI connectivity is direct, but Fibre Channel and iSCSI connectivity require optional bridges, she said.

Spectra Logic is looking to compete with several midrange tape libraries with the T120, said Isaacson, including ADIC's Scalar 1000, Overland Storage's NEO, and Qualstar's RLS and TLS series.

Michael Fanelli, western regional manager at SSI hubcity, a Metuchen, N.J.-based solution provider, said Spectra Logic made the right move by taking the Python architecture of its T950, including the choice of media and the simple filing drawer concept for loading tapes, and putting it in the smaller footprint T120.

The T120 is also useful for smaller companies concerned about compliance issues, said Fanelli. "With the new SAIT cartridges now including WORM (write once, read many) capabilities, you can handle compliance," he said. "Since the T120 can be partitioned, you can you part for WORM, and part for regular backups."

Street price for the T120 with one LTO-2 drive and 30 slots starts at $16,600, Isaacson said. About 80 percent of the company's sales go through solution providers, she said.